Hotshot

August 1, 2013
When Peyton Lockhart and her sisters agree to reboot their uncle's Florida resort, troubles arise from all quarters, putting Peyton in danger and bringing childhood protector Finn MacBain to her side.Peyton should have known that landing a job as a food critic for a major foodie magazine with no experience was too good to be true, but she never expected she'd be harassed and threatened by her new employer. After driving from Texas to Minnesota for the opportunity, it's not too long before she can't get out of there fast enough. Not long after, their uncle offers Peyton and her sisters the opportunity to work at his resort, supervising a major renovation and planning a grand re-opening, with the possibility of taking over ownership at the end of the project. It's an offer they can't refuse, and one Peyton is especially grateful for, given the stress of her recent employment fiasco. But when they get to the resort in Florida, it becomes clear that someone is out to get Peyton, and is sabotaging the resort renovation. Could it be their greedy, self-serving cousin? Or could it be someone from the magazine, exacting revenge for her sexual harassment lawsuit? Whoever it is, Peyton is in danger, and when she runs into Finn MacBain--the boy-next-door hero who saved her life when she was a little girl and is now an FBI agent--he decides to look into the matter. Finn is larger than life and has always been too old for Peyton, but she's all grown up now and when they reconnect, sparks fly. She knows his interest is fleeting (he's a no commitment kind of guy) but she'll take his help with gratitude, and nurse her broken heart when it's over. If she can stay alive. Legendary romance author Garwood delivers a novel that is at times clever, original and sigh-worthy, at other moments, silly and simplistic. Fans of romance and especially Garwood will find glimpses of her brilliance, but elements of the suspense, plot and characterization are sprawling, disjointed and disappointing. Uneven and oddly framed, though true believers will find enough Garwood in here to keep them satisfied.

COPYRIGHT(2013) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

August 1, 2013

Disgusted and unnerved by her lecherous boss's aggressive behavior, chef Peyton Lockhart flees into a Minnesota blizzard, barely avoids being run off the road by her ex-boss's hit man, and heads home to Texas to consider her options. There, she runs into her childhood hero, the Olympic medalist who once saved her from drowning, lawyer and FBI agent Finn MacBain, who is just as appealing and protective as ever. When he learns the story behind the bullet holes in Peyton's car, Finn knows it means more trouble. But Peyton and her sisters move to Florida to run Bishop's Cove, their uncle's island resort, and where she gets a new bullet hole in her car. VERDICT A swift pace, electric sexual tension, an abundance of fascinating characters, and an engaging plot with plenty of action and a touch of humor make this a perfect summertime page-turner. RITA Award winner Garwood (Sweet Talk) lives in Leawood, KS.

Copyright 2013 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.